Noninvasive stereotactic apparatus and method for relating data between medical devices

Abstract

A noninvasive alignment apparatus for providing a stereotactic interface between a noninvasive stereotactic adapter mounted on a patient's head and a medical device, such as, an imaging device or a radiotherapy machine. The apparatus permits a method of noninvasive fractionated radiotherapy to be practiced. The alignment apparatus is constructed of separable arcuate segments to facilitate the insertion of the patient's head and stereotactic adapter within the apparatus. The alignment apparatus further has various calibrated shafts for each of its movable elements, so that, after the alignment apparatus is initially positioned and adjusted on an imaging machine, its position with respect to the stereotactic adapter may be replicated later on a radiotherapy machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A noninvasive stereotactic apparatus for aligning a noninvasive stereotactic adapter mounted on a patient's head with a medical device, the apparatus comprising: a frame adapted to be mounted with respect to the medical device, the frame having a frame centerline;   a rest plate connected to the frame for noninvasively supporting the patient's head at a desired elevation;   a first alignment bracket having a length generally parallel to the frame centerline and being movably mounted to the frame, the first alignment bracket being movable in a first direction toward and away from the frame centerline for aligning the noninvasive stereotactic adapter and the patient's head at a desired location with respect to the medical device; and   noninvasive movable positioners mechanically supported by the frame for maintaining the patient's head at the desired location.   
     
     
       2. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises: a first frame member; and   a second frame member forming a forward side of the frame between the opposite sides and being separable from and attachable to the first frame member.   
     
     
       3. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second frame member has one end pivotally connected to one end of the first frame member. 
     
     
       4. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first and second frame members form a generally circular frame. 
     
     
       5. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 2 wherein the frame further includes a forward positioner connected to the second frame member at a location generally opposite the rest plate, the forward positioner further functioning to maintain the patient's head at the desired location. 
     
     
       6. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first position adjusting mechanism connecting the first alignment bracket to the frame for selectively moving the first alignment bracket in the first direction. 
     
     
       7. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a second alignment bracket movably mounted to the frame at a location generally opposite the first alignment bracket, the second alignment bracket having a length generally parallel to the frame centerline and being movable in a second direction toward and away from the frame centerline. 
     
     
       8. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second position adjusting mechanism connecting the second alignment bracket to the frame for selectively moving the second alignment bracket in the second direction. 
     
     
       9. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first and second directions are parallel. 
     
     
       10. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first and second directions are colinear. 
     
     
       11. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 8 wherein each of the alignment brackets comprises: a lateral bar having a base end and a distal end and longitudinally oriented in a direction generally parallel to the frame centerline; and   an alignment plate connected to a distal end of the lateral bar.   
     
     
       12. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 11 wherein each of the first and second position adjusting mechanisms includes a screw drive operatively coupled between the frame and the base end of a lateral bar for moving a respective alignment bracket toward and away from the frame centerline. 
     
     
       13. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 12 wherein each of the first and second position adjusting mechanisms further comprises a lateral block connected to the screw drive and mechanically coupled to the base end of a respective lateral bar to guide motion of the alignment bracket in a direction generally perpendicular to both the first direction and the frame centerline. 
     
     
       14. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a lock connected between the base end of each of the lateral bars and a respective lateral block for locking the lateral bar and the respective alignment bracket with respect to the respective lateral block. 
     
     
       15. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 11 wherein each of the noninvasive positioners is connected to a lateral bar. 
     
     
       16. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 15 wherein each of the noninvasive positioners comprises: a screw threadedly engaged with the distal end of a respective lateral bar; and   a noninvasive pad connected to an end of the screw directed toward the frame centerline, the noninvasive pad being configured for contacting and maintaining the patient's head in a desired position.   
     
     
       17. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a calibrated shaft positionable with respect to each of the positioners for measuring an extension of a respective positioner toward the frame centerline. 
     
     
       18. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a position adjusting mechanism connecting the rest plate to the frame for selectively moving the rest plate toward and away from the frame centerline. 
     
     
       19. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 18 wherein position adjusting mechanism further includes a calibrated shaft for measuring a position of the position adjusting mechanism with respect to the frame. 
     
     
       20. The noninvasive stereotactic apparatus of claim 1 wherein the frame further includes connectors for receiving and securing compatible connectors of a fiducial localizer. 
     
     
       21. A noninvasive stereotactic apparatus for aligning a noninvasive stereotactic adapter mounted on a patient's head with a medical device, the apparatus comprising: a frame having opposite sides and adapted to be mounted with respect to the medical device, the frame including a first frame member, and   a second frame member forming a forward side of the frame between the opposite sides, the second frame member being separable from and having one end pivotally connected to the first frame member;     first and second alignment brackets connected to the opposite sides of the frame for aligning the noninvasive stereotactic adapter and the patient's head at a desired location with respect to the medical device; and   noninvasive movable positioners mechanically supported by the frame for maintaining the patient's head at the desired location.   
     
     
       22. A method of performing stereotactic fractionated radiotherapy comprising: a) mounting a noninvasive stereotactic adapter on a head of a subject;   b) locating the head of the subject within a noninvasive alignment ring operatively positioned with respect to a collimator of a radiotherapy machine;   c) moving the stereotactic adapter and the subject's head to a predetermined location with respect to the alignment ring;   d) coupling a fiducial device associated with the radiotherapy machine to the alignment ring;   e) performing a radiotherapy treatment using the radiotherapy machine;   f) removing the patient's head from the noninvasive alignment ring and the noninvasive stereotactic adapter, whereby the radiotherapy treatment is performed using noninvasive appliances.   
     
     
       23. The method of claim 22 wherein after the step of locating the head of the patient within the alignment ring, the method further comprises the step of noninvasively holding the subject's head at the predetermined location using the alignment ring. 
     
     
       24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of iterating steps a) through f) at a subsequent time to perform another radiotherapy treatment using the radiotherapy machine using noninvasive appliances of radiation therapy treatments. 
     
     
       25. A noninvasive stereotactic apparatus for aligning a noninvasive stereotactic adapter mounted on a patient's head with a medical device, the apparatus comprising: a frame adapted to be mounted with respect to the medical device, the frame having a frame centerline;   a rest plate connected to the frame for noninvasively supporting the patient's head at a desired elevation;   a first alignment bracket having a length generally parallel to the frame centerline and being movably mounted to the frame, the first alignment bracket being movable in a direction generally perpendicular to the frame centerline and generally parallel to a plane defined by the frame for aligning the noninvasive stereotactic adapter and the patient's head at a desired location with respect to the medical device; and   noninvasive movable positioners mechanically supported by the frame for maintaining the patient's head at the desired location.